Every year at MVHS, your first semester project will be to complete this Instrument Guide. Download the attachment above and begin working on it as soon as possible. Different parts of the assignments will be due throughout the first semester. We hope you will find this information beneficial to your understanding of your instrument. This project is in conjunction with Mr. Scherr’s Master Degree through the American Band College.

The Clarinet Family

The family is a musical instrument family including the well-known B♭ clarinet, the slightly less familiar E♭, A, and bass clarinets, and other clarinets. Clarinets other than the standard B♭ and A clarinets are sometimes known as harmony clarinets. However, there are many differently-pitched clarinet types, some of which are very rare. They may be grouped into sub-families, but grouping and terminology vary; the list below reflects popular usage and compares it with systems advocated by a few influential authors. See separate articles for additional details.

Piccolo clarinet — Very rare. Also known as octave clarinet or Bb sopranino clarinet. Pitched an octave higher than the B♭ clarinet.

A♭ piccolo clarinet.

Rendall uses the term octave clarinet and includes also obsolete instruments in C, B♭, and G.[1]

D clarinet — Rare in America and western Europe. Required in Molter's very early clarinet concertos.

Rendall lists the E♭ and D clarinets, along with obsolete instruments in G, F, and E, as sopranino clarinets.

Shackleton lists the E♭ and D clarinets, along with obsolete instruments in F, and E, as sopranino clarinets.

The E♭ and D clarinets are commonly called piccolo clarinets in eastern Europe and Russia.

C clarinet — Moderately rare. Clarinets in C are common in the scores of some composers' classical opera, in which clarinetists were expected to be equipped with instruments in A, B♭ and C.[citation needed] Also occurs in clarinet choirs, often as a substitute for the oboe.

Rendall
includes no basset clarinets in his classifications. Shackleton has
three in his collection: Numbers 5389 (Bb and A set) and 5393 (in A).
See Catalogue of the Sir Nicholas Shackleton Collection, Edinburgh
University Collection.

Basset horn — Alto-to-tenor range instrument with (usually) a smaller bore than the alto clarinet, and a range extended to low (written) C.

Instrument Brands

Student Instrument - These are the entry level instruments for the student in the first 2 - 3 years of study. They are made of plastic, and it is important that the horn be in good playing condition, with a medium mouthpiece (plastic is OK), a supply of reeds, cork grease and a swab. The models we recommend are:

Buffet B10, B12 or the Accent made by Buffet

Vito 7242, 7214 or Vito Reso-tone 3 (7212 or 7213)

Selmer 1400, 100 or 300, or Armstrong, Artley or Bundy (all made by Selmer)

Yamaha 20, 24, 26, 250 or Advantage

Jupiter

These are all comparable, but we personally prefer the Buffet B12, Yamaha 20 or Vito 7214. The Vito 7214 holds up like iron and comes with a great case as well. The Buffet has the wonderful feel of the Buffet professional model, but the cases do not hold up well. The newer model Yamaha 250 is just like the model 20. There is nothing wrong with giving a wooden clarinet to a beginner, but it just isn't necessary. The plastic instruments will hold up better to the hard use that young players sometimes give. You hate to see someone drop a nice wooden instrument, but it's not so bad with a plastic one. Intermediate (or step-up) Instrument - These are wooden instruments that get a more characteristic tone suitable for the advancing player after he or she is no longer in the beginning stages, usually toward the end of junior high when a plastic instrument can inhibit the student's progress. For most players, an intermediate level instrument is good enough to last through the rest of their playing career. The wooden body creates the characteristic clarinet tone, and they are high quality great instruments. We recommend:

Professional Instrument - This is for an advanced high school or college player or a professional. They are top of the line and are used by the best professional players around the world. We recommend:

Buffet R-13, the choice of professionals

Buffet pre-R-13, made by Buffet before about 1950

There are other professional models as well including Selmer, LeBlanc and Yamaha. The choice is up to the preference of the player. At this level, different players may prefer a different model according to their personal taste.